Streets Is Talking )
Jay-Z Beanie Sigel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is he a blood, is he crip?
Is he that, is he this?
Did he do it? You know, eh
Look

If I shoot you, I'm brainless
Different toilet, same shit, and I'm sick of explainin this
I'm waitin on arraignment, my nigga is the plantiff
Yeah, I know what you thinkin, fucked up ain't it?
I shoulda known better, and I planned to
But dog they be takin me out of my zone like a nigga with a handle
I sat back and watched it, put the gats back in the closet
I tried to tie my hands like an Iraqi hostage
Let niggaz take shots at me, no response
I just, flip and, pop my collar like the fonz
You give a nigga a foot he'll take you one step beyond
He'll try to play you twice, the third time is the charm
You wanna conversate with the writer of the qu'ran
Or old testament, don't test him then
I know what y'all thinkin dick, pause
Your future's my past, I've been here before
I know when you're schemin, I feel when you plottin
I got, mental vision, intuition
I know where you goin I read your mind's navigational system
Everybody whisperin, pst pst pst ss perspirin

When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
I need to know, cheah cheah
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah

You see me with a bodyguard that means police is watchin
And I only use his waist to keep my glock in
But when shit goes down you know who's doin the poppin
And if you don't know, guess who's doin the droppin
S dot again, y'all got him in a bad mood
Bad move that's bad news
How many times have I got to prove?
How many loved ones have you got to lose
Before you realize that it's probably true?
Whatever jigga say, jigga probably do
Shit I paid my dues, I made the news
I came in the door for dolo, blazed the crews
And the streets say jigga can't go back home
You know when I heard that? when I was back home
I'm comfortable dog, Brooklyn to Rome
On any martin luther, don't part with your future
Don't ever question if I got the heart to shoot ya
The answer is simply too dark for the user
And as a snot-nose they said that he got flows
But will he be able to drop those before the cops close in?
'Fore the shots froze him, and he's dead and gone
From what the block has spoken, my god
Everybody stressin, who's his baby's moms?
Who he got pregnant, let me tell you, ah

When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
I need to know, chicka-uh-ah, ah-chk-ah-uh-ah
Chicka-ch-ah, chk-ah-ah-ah
When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
I need to know, gi-gi-gi, geah yeah uh, yeah yeah uh
Yeah, yo, yo

I seen my first murder in the hall, if you must know
I lost my pops when I was eleven mmm twelve years old
He's probably somewhere where the liquor is takin it's toll
But I ain't mad at you dad, holla at your lad
I grew up pushin snowflake to niggaz that was pro-base
The stress'll take a young nigga, give him a old face
All I did was smoke joke, think and drink
Copped 'caine and complained, front row watch game
I seen niggaz before me, with a chance to write they own script
Slip up and change the story
I seen young niggaz go out in a blaze of glory
Before reachin puberty, scared a nigga truthfully
I took trips with so much shit in the whip
That if the cops pulled us over the dog'd get sick, sniff
Smell me nigga? The real me nigga, minus the rumors
Holla if you feel me nigga

The streets is not only watching but they talking now?
Shit they got me circling the block before I'm parking now
Don't get it twisted, I ain't bitching, I'm just cautious now
Sub, under the parka, extra cartridge now
Hit his click sig' up you fell at it you're dense
I get word to the street like bell Atlantic express
I feel the vibes and I hear the rumors
But fuck it, I'm still alive and I'm still in ju'maa I know 'stafallah
Niggaz wanna press me, put my back to the wall
But pressure bust pipes I know, I spat it to y'all
To know me is to love me, you see me, can't be me, hate this
Fuck you I got guns like Neo in Matrix
Cross the family, think mac's sweet like Cairo
Or soft like play-doh get knocked off like Fredo, Corleone
They find you with a hole in your dome
I roll with niggaz that'll follow you and go to your home
Thought you ball, but nigga you fall to my defense
Catch you while you reachin, clip you then I cross you then I'm leavin
Apply full court pressure
Like four-four ? Get you out of here, pull pressure
To the trigger, bullets fly in three's
You forever rest under bullshit, dirt lies and leaves
I do bullshit, dirt, tell lies then leave
Look in my eyes, realize it's beans
Niggaz wanna despise the team, till I play head coach
And straight up, divide they team




Trade they man for some pies and a couple of things
Til the bullet, ah, motherfuckers! yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel's song "Streets Is Talking" are a reflection of the realities of street life. The first verse focuses on the unfairness of the justice system, waiting on arraignment, and how easily someone can be taken out of their zone. The second verse alludes to the rapper's street credibility, discussing having a bodyguard and using his waist to hold his gun, and the consequences of crossing him.


In the chorus, the streets are personified as a being that talks and gossips. The singer asks for the reason behind the talking and gossip, expressing a desire to know what's going on.


The final verse has a confessional tone as the singer reflects on his past experiences, including seeing a murder at a young age and losing his father at 11. He also speaks about dealing drugs and taking trips with illegal substances, revealing a tougher side to himself. The verse ends with the singer talking about his dangerous nature and the consequences for crossing him.


Overall, "Streets Is Talking" portrays the harsh realities of street life, discussing topics like violence, drugs, and the justice system. It speaks to the unspoken rules and ways of the streets, where talking and gossip can have real-life consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

Is he a blood, is he crip?
Is he affiliated with a gang or involved in criminal activities?


Is he that, is he this?
Is he involved in certain activities or roles?


Did he do it? You know, eh
Did he commit a crime or engage in illegal activities?


Look
Listen and pay attention


If I shoot you, I'm brainless
If I shoot you, I am acting without intelligence or thought


Different toilet, same shit, and I'm sick of explainin this
Different situation, but it's the same negative cycle, and I'm tired of having to justify it


I'm waitin on arraignment, my nigga is the plantiff
I'm waiting for my legal trial, and my friend is the one bringing the charges against me


Yeah, I know what you thinkin, fucked up ain't it?
I understand what you're thinking, and it's messed up, isn't it?


I shoulda known better, and I planned to
I should have been more cautious and had intentions to avoid this situation


But dog they be takin me out of my zone like a nigga with a handle
But they keep interrupting my peace and disrupting my focus


I sat back and watched it, put the gats back in the closet
I observed what was happening and decided to hide my firearms


I tried to tie my hands like an Iraqi hostage
I attempted to restrain myself or keep myself from getting involved, like a hostage in Iraq


Let niggaz take shots at me, no response
Let people criticize or attack me without reacting or responding


I just, flip and, pop my collar like the fonz
I simply brush it off and show confidence, like the character Fonzie from Happy Days


You give a nigga a foot he'll take you one step beyond
If you give someone an opportunity, they will use it to their advantage


He'll try to play you twice, the third time is the charm
He will attempt to deceive or manipulate you multiple times until he succeeds


You wanna conversate with the writer of the qu'ran
You want to have a discussion with someone who possesses great knowledge or wisdom


Or old testament, don't test him then
Or the ancient religious scripture, do not challenge or provoke him


I know what y'all thinkin dick, pause
I am aware of the thoughts or assumptions you have, pause for clarification


Your future's my past, I've been here before
Your future is something I have already experienced in my past


I know when you're schemin, I feel when you plottin
I can sense when you're planning something underhanded or deceptive


I got, mental vision, intuition
I possess the ability to perceive things mentally and intuitively


I know where you goin I read your mind's navigational system
I know and understand your intentions or plans, as if I can read your thoughts


Everybody whisperin, pst pst pst ss perspirin
Everyone is gossiping quietly, making secretive sounds, and sweating nervously


When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
When the community is discussing things, people are spreading rumors


Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
Women are getting involved in your business, what is the reason behind it?


I need to know, cheah cheah
I want to understand and figure it out, yes yes


You see me with a bodyguard that means police is watchin
If you see me accompanied by a bodyguard, it indicates that law enforcement is monitoring me


And I only use his waist to keep my glock in
I only utilize his presence to conceal my firearm in his waistband


But when shit goes down you know who's doin the poppin
But when a conflict or dangerous situation arises, you know who is doing the shooting


And if you don't know, guess who's doin the droppin
And if you're not aware, I'll tell you who is causing others to fall or be defeated


S dot again, y'all got him in a bad mood
Referring to himself, Jay-Z, once again, you all have put him in a negative emotional state


Bad move that's bad news
That was a mistake, and it will lead to negative consequences


How many times have I got to prove?
How many times do I need to demonstrate or validate my abilities?


How many loved ones have you got to lose
How many important people in your life do you need to lose?


Before you realize that it's probably true?
Before you recognize that what I've been saying is most likely accurate?


Whatever jigga say, jigga probably do
Whatever Jay-Z claims he will do, he will most likely follow through with it


Shit I paid my dues, I made the news
I have fulfilled my obligations and responsibilities, and I have gained attention in the media


I came in the door for dolo, blazed the crews
I entered the music industry alone and dominated the competition


And the streets say jigga can't go back home
And the community states that Jay-Z is no longer welcome in his neighborhood


You know when I heard that? When I was back home
Do you know when I heard that? When I was actually in my hometown


I'm comfortable dog, Brooklyn to Rome
I feel at ease, whether I'm in Brooklyn or Rome


On any martin luther, don't part with your future
On any occasion or situation, don't give up or separate yourself from your potential or aspirations


Don't ever question if I got the heart to shoot ya
Never doubt whether I have the courage or determination to harm you


The answer is simply too dark for the user
The truth or reality is too harsh or negative for those who seek it


And as a snot-nose they said that he got flows
And when I was young and inexperienced, people acknowledged my skill in rapping


But will he be able to drop those before the cops close in?
But will I have the opportunity to release my music before the police catch up to me?


'Fore the shots froze him, and he's dead and gone
Before someone shoots and kills him, leaving him lifeless


From what the block has spoken, my god
Based on the rumors circulating in the neighborhood, it seems inevitable


Everybody stressin, who's his baby's moms?
Everyone is anxious and curious about the mother of his child


Who he got pregnant, let me tell you, ah
Who he impregnated, allow me to inform you


When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
When the community is discussing things, people are spreading rumors


Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
Women are getting involved in your business, what is the reason behind it?


I need to know, chicka-uh-ah, ah-chk-ah-uh-ah
I want to understand and figure it out, chicka-uh-ah, ah-chk-ah-uh-ah


Chicka-ch-ah, chk-ah-ah-ah
Chicka-ch-ah, chk-ah-ah-ah


When the, streets is talkin, niggaz is gossipin
When the community is discussing things, people are spreading rumors


Bitches all in your shit, what's the cause of it?
Women are getting involved in your business, what is the reason behind it?


I need to know, gi-gi-gi, geah yeah uh, yeah yeah uh
I want to understand and figure it out, gi-gi-gi, geah yeah uh, yeah yeah uh


Yeah, yo, yo
Yes, listen, listen


I seen my first murder in the hall, if you must know
I witnessed my first killing in the hallway, in case you're curious


I lost my pops when I was eleven mmm twelve years old
I lost my father when I was eleven, mm, twelve years old


He's probably somewhere where the liquor is takin it's toll
He is most likely in a place where alcohol is negatively affecting his health


But I ain't mad at you dad, holla at your lad
But I'm not angry at you, dad, contact your son


I grew up pushin snowflake to niggaz that was pro-base
I grew up selling drugs to people who were addicted to cocaine


The stress'll take a young nigga, give him a old face
The pressure and difficulties will age a young person, making them appear older


All I did was smoke joke, think and drink
All I did was smoke marijuana, joke around, contemplate, and consume alcohol


Copped 'caine and complained, front row watch game
Bought cocaine and complained about life, while sitting in the front row watching sports events


I seen niggaz before me, with a chance to write they own script
I witnessed individuals who came before me, with an opportunity to create their own destiny


Slip up and change the story
Make a mistake and alter the narrative


I seen young niggaz go out in a blaze of glory
I observed young individuals dying in a dramatic and heroic manner


Before reachin puberty, scared a nigga truthfully
Before even becoming an adult, it frightened me honestly


I took trips with so much shit in the whip
I traveled with a significant amount of illegal substances in the car


That if the cops pulled us over the dog'd get sick, sniff
That if the police stopped us, the drug-sniffing dog would become alert


Smell me nigga? The real me nigga, minus the rumors
Can you perceive my true self, without the influence of rumors?


Holla if you feel me nigga
Call out if you understand and connect with what I'm saying


The streets is not only watching but they talking now?
The community is not only observing us but also spreading rumors and gossiping now?


Shit they got me circling the block before I'm parking now
They have me driving around the block before finding a place to park now


Don't get it twisted, I ain't bitching, I'm just cautious now
Don't misunderstand, I'm not complaining, I'm simply being careful now


Sub, under the parka, extra cartridge now
I have a firearm hidden under my coat, with an additional magazine now


Hit his click sig' up you fell at it you're dense
Shoot his group of friends with my gun, if you miss you're foolish


I get word to the street like bell Atlantic express
I communicate information to the community quickly and effectively, like a telecommunication company


I feel the vibes and I hear the rumors
I sense the atmosphere and I am aware of the rumors circulating


But fuck it, I'm still alive and I'm still in ju'maa I know 'stafallah
But I don't care, I am still alive and I am still present, I know God's will


Niggaz wanna press me, put my back to the wall
People want to challenge or threaten me, forcing me into a difficult situation


But pressure bust pipes I know, I spat it to y'all
But pressure can cause a person to crack, I've explained this to all of you before


To know me is to love me, you see me, can't be me, hate this
To truly understand me is to admire me, you see me but cannot be me, and that frustrates you


Fuck you I got guns like Neo in Matrix
Forget you, I have weapons like Neo in the film The Matrix


Cross the family, think mac's sweet like Cairo
Betray or harm my family, assuming my weapons are harmless like Cairo (Egypt)


Or soft like play-doh get knocked off like Fredo, Corleone
Or weak like Play-Doh, and get killed like Fredo Corleone (character from The Godfather)


They find you with a hole in your dome
They discover your dead body with a gunshot wound to your head


I roll with niggaz that'll follow you and go to your home
I associate with individuals who will pursue you and invade your residence


Thought you ball, but nigga you fall to my defense
You believed you were successful, but in reality, you are defeated by my protection


Catch you while you reachin, clip you then I cross you then I'm leavin
I catch you when you're vulnerable, shoot you, then escape after crossing your path


Apply full court pressure
Exert maximum force or pressure upon someone


Like four-four ? Get you out of here, pull pressure
Like a high-caliber handgun, I will eliminate you, exerting significant pressure


To the trigger, bullets fly in three's
Referring to firing a gun, multiple bullets are discharged in quick succession


You forever rest under bullshit, dirt lies and leaves
You will permanently be buried under false information, hatred, and abandonment


I do bullshit, dirt, tell lies then leave
I engage in deceitful acts, engage in illicit activities, lie, then move on


Look in my eyes, realize it's beans
Look into my eyes and understand that it's me, Beanie Sigel


Niggaz wanna despise the team, till I play head coach
People want to resent or dislike my group, until I take charge as the leader


And straight up, divide they team
And completely weaken or disrupt their group


Trade they man for some pies and a couple of things
Exchange their associates for money and various commodities


Til the bullet, ah, motherfuckers! Yeah
Until they are shot, ah, fuckers! Yeah




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, DWIGHT GRANT, JUSTIN GREGORY SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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